Homeowners in an exclusive waterfront enclave in Brooklyn thought
Hurricane Sandy was as cruel a blow as they could suffer — until the
taxman proved them wrong.

The city is claiming that property
values have actually shot up for many homes in Manhattan Beach and it’s
going ahead with hefty tax hikes for the houses devastated by the
October superstorm, shocked property owners told The Post.

Homeowners
in other neighborhoods hit by Sandy, including Coney Island, the
Rockaways and parts of Staten Island, also said they’ve received
increases.

“This is totally insensitive and heartless,” said Ira
Zalcman, president of the Manhattan Beach Community Group, which has
received more than 30 complaints from residents about the hikes.

Paul Martinka

“We just sustained one of the worst national disasters in our
nation’s history, and now the city is delusional, claiming our property
values went up.”